Erik Bouts, President of O-I Europe – one of Europe’s leading glass packaging companies - has been elected President of FEVE – the European Container Glass federation - at its Annual General Assembly in Venice on June 6th.

The European container glass manufacturing industry is the largest glass producer in the world and an important sector of the EU economy, creating jobs and wealth in local regions where more than 160 plants are operating across Europe.

“I look forward to working closely with FEVE members, staff, and the national associations to further develop the circular economy model which highly contributes to the competitiveness of the EU manufacturing sector. Glass is a material that has unique properties: we need to play our winning cards and continue to be the reference packaging material,” says Erik Bouts. “FEVE members have been a key driving force behind the European circular economy agenda, and I firmly believe that container glass is uniquely positioned to bring solutions to the big challenges of Resource Efficiency.”

Erik Bouts succeeds Stefan Jaenecke, CEO of Verallia Deutschland, who led the association for the previous two years.

“Stefan has done a great job in bringing the association to a new level and boosting the industry’s focus on promoting the benefits of glass as a reference packaging material,” says Erik Bouts. “I hope to build on this legacy and work with colleagues to prepare the next steps in the future of the European Container Glass industry.”

The industry employs some 50,000 people in Europe in 160 plants producing a wide range of glass packaging products for food and beverages, perfumery, cosmetics and pharmacy as well as glass tableware for European and global customers. FEVE members have plants in 23 European Member States. Container glass is one of Europe’s best recycled products. In 2012 the average glass recycling rate was 71%.

Source: O-I Europe/FEVE/packagingeurope.com